How to Choose a Shower Curtain Size in Australia
A curtain that is too short lets water out; one that is too narrow leaves a gap. Measuring takes two minutes. Here is exactly how to do it, and which size fits which bathroom.
The standard shower curtain size in Australia is 180 × 180 cm (width × height). Measure your rod, then choose a curtain about 20–30 cm wider so it hangs in folds. For height, measure from the rod to where the hem should sit: inside the bath, or a few centimetres above a shower floor. If your rod is higher than usual, choose an extra long curtain with a 200 cm drop.
Most shower curtains sold in Australia are listed as width × height in centimetres. The numbers look simple, but rods sit at different heights, baths have different lengths and corner showers need more fabric than you expect. This guide covers the common sizes, how to measure, and the mistakes that lead to a wet floor.
Standard shower curtain sizes in Australia
| Size (W × H) | Name | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 180 × 180 cm | Standard | Most showers and shower-over-bath setups with a standard rod |
| 180 × 200 cm | Extra long | Higher rods, ceiling tracks, tall people |
| 120 × 180 / 120 × 200 cm | Narrow | Small showers, single-side openings |
| 200–240 cm wide | Wide | Long baths, curved rods, L-shaped rods |
| 300 cm wide | Extra wide | Corner showers, bath + shower combinations |
How big is a 180 by 180 shower curtain? It is 1.8 metres wide and 1.8 metres tall, which covers a standard 1.5–1.7 m bath with some fabric left over to fold.
How to measure for a shower curtain
- Measure the width of your rod or opening, end to end.
- Add 20–30 cm. A curtain needs extra width to hang in soft folds and to close without a gap at the wall.
- Measure the drop from the rod down to where the hem should sit.
- Over a bath, the hem should hang inside the tub, below the rim, so water runs back in.
- In a walk-in shower, aim for 2–5 cm above the floor so the hem does not sit in water.
- Allow for rings or hooks: they usually add 3–5 cm between the rod and the top of the curtain.
When to choose an extra long shower curtain
Choose an extra long curtain (200 cm drop) when your rod sits higher than about 195 cm, when you use a ceiling-mounted track, or when a standard curtain leaves the hem sitting on the bath rim. A higher rod also makes a small bathroom look taller, as we explain in our small bathroom guide.
White Extra Long Shower Curtain
Waffle jacquard in white, from 120 × 180 to 300 × 200 cm.
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Beige Yellow Extra Long Shower Curtain
Warm beige-yellow waffle, from 100 × 200 to 300 × 200 cm.
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Grey Extra Long Shower Curtain
Soft grey waffle for modern bathrooms, up to 300 cm wide.
Shop now →See the full extra long shower curtains collection.
Which size for your bathroom setup?
Shower over bath
Measure the length of the bath and add 20–30 cm. A 1.7 m bath suits a 180–200 cm wide curtain.
Corner shower with an L-shaped rod
Add both sides of the rod together, then add 20–30 cm. Corners often need 240–300 cm.
Walk-in shower
Measure the opening only. A narrow 120 cm curtain is often enough.
Do you need a liner too?
A fabric curtain looks softer; a PEVA curtain is fully waterproof and wipes clean. Many people hang both: the fabric outside, a PEVA liner inside. Choose a liner the same width, or slightly narrower, and hang it on the same hooks. Our weighted vs magnetic curtains guide explains how to stop a liner from billowing, and how to clean a shower curtain covers care.
Grey Magnet Weighted PEVA Curtain
Grey PEVA with three magnets in the hem. Use alone or as a liner.
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White Magnet Weighted PEVA Curtain
White PEVA with magnets: bright, waterproof, wipe-clean.
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Clear Magnet Weighted PEVA Curtain
Clear PEVA that keeps light in the shower.
Shop now →Shop curtains by size, from 120 to 300 cm wide.
Every ShowerNest curtain lists its sizes as width × height on the product page, so you can match them to your measurements.
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FAQs
What is the standard shower curtain size in Australia?
180 × 180 cm (width × height). Extra long curtains are usually 180 × 200 cm.
How much larger should a shower curtain be than the opening?
About 20–30 cm wider than the rod or opening, so it hangs in folds and closes without a gap.
How long should a shower curtain be?
Long enough that the hem hangs inside the bath below the rim, or 2–5 cm above a walk-in shower floor. Measure from the rod and allow for rings.
What is the longest shower curtain you can buy?
Most extra long curtains have a 200 cm drop. For very high ceilings, look for curtains sold in custom drops, or mount the rod lower.
What size shower curtain for a corner shower?
Add both sides of an L-shaped rod together, then add 20–30 cm. Corner showers often need 240–300 cm wide.
